THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

GREECE AND THE ALLIES. LATTER'S DEMANDS AGREED TO. Athens, Nov. 25. Official: Greece has cordially agreed to meet the demands of the Allies. London, Nov. 25. j The Greek Government lias delivered a reply to the Entente's Note. It lias acceded to the demands and gives the j essential guarantees. THE CREEK CLIMB DOWN. NEWSPAPERS' CHANGE OP FRONT. EFFECT OF THE ALLIES' NOTE. Received Nov. 26, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 23. Mr. Martin Donohoe, cabling from Atliens, comments on'the change in Greece's attitude. Hysterical newspapers, which have been weeping subsidised tears and raging against Britain, almost think that the other Allies are not participating in the negotiations. Now that Greece has reaffirmed her good faith and unshaken resolve in a benevolent neutrality towards the Entente, these newspapers have ceased to abuse John Bull, and have commenced to urge the granting of more concessions. The Allies' Note pointed out that they heartily approved of neutrality. They did not desire Greece to become a belligerent, hut required something more tangible than verbal assurances, which the rapidly moving events might dissipate. The Government protpsled that its official word ought to su'fice, but finally agreed to the drafting of guarantee?. THE POSSIBIUTi' OF FAMINE. Mr. Donohoe learns that King Constantino at first opposed an understanding, but ultimately yielded with the best possible grace to an agreement as the only way out of the difficulty, because food supplies are desperately short and hungry peasants have a knack of acting in self protection from fa/nine. The Allies pointed out that they did not desire to apply the hunger screw unduly, and the duration of the embargo i depended entirely on Greece's attitude. CONTROL OF THE RAILWAYS. OTHER LANDING PLACES ARRANGED FOR. The Note was courteous and firm, ' care being taken not to wound Greece's tfusceptibifities. The Allies did not mention demobilisation, but insisted on the control of the Salonika-Serbia railway. It is believed that arrangements have been made to give the Allies landing facilities at other ports, particularly in Epirus and Thrace. There was intense relief among the people at the restoration of friendly relations, and food prices immediately dropped. REPORTS FROM SALONIKA. Salonika reports that the Allies have landed several heavy guns and machinery for an electric power station, and have arranged contracts to build the station and also for the 'building of extensive barracks, indicating a long stay. Great stocks of munitions are leaving Salonika for Monastir. Meanwhile heavy French guns are bombarding Prilep. Fifteen thousand Austrians are reported to be inarching towards Ochrida and j Monastir.

GREEK CONSUL'S REPORT.

THE KING AND LORD KITCHENER. London, Nov. 25. M.. Stavredi, Greek Consul-General, has returned to London from Athens. Interviewed, he remarked that several members of the Greek Cabinet told him that Greece was bound to come in with the Allies, if only sufficient Allied troops were available on the spot. King Constantine's wish to see Lord Kitchener was entirely spontaneous. He said: "I am not much of a diplomatist; I am a soldier, and to talk matters over with another soldier like Lord Kitchener will help matters." It was a mistake to think King Constantine was unfriendly to England. He was most anxious to see Lord Kitchener.

ITEMS FROM THE TIMES.

WITHDRAWAL FROM' SALONIKA SUGGESTED. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Nov. 25. The Times' correspondent in Paris says that M. Clemenceau discusses the effect of Lord Kitchener's decision upon the Salonika expedition. It will depend on whether he is persuaded that the arrival of the Germans in Constantinople involves maintenance of the force at Gallipoli or considers that the reembarkation of the forces at the Dardanelles will become increasingly difficult in future. M. Clemenceau sees that only two courses are open—to liquidate the affair without loss of time, or develop it on a great scale. Lord Kitchener's opinion must have great weight, and a civilian, has no business to judge, but, if a further extension of the attackin the Dardanelles is determined on, there is no reason for the further maintenance of a necessarily inadequate front, since the forces could and should be employed elsewhere more profitably. M. Clemenceau suggests that the Government has decided not to go further with the Salonika expedition. CONTROL OF GREEK COMMERCE. The Times comments that within the limits outlined by the Foreign Office communication there is certainly room for the effective control of Greek seaborne commerce if circumstances appear to warrant. GREEK RESERVES RELEASED. Five of the reserve classes in the Greek army will shortly be released and their places taken by refugees liable to military service. QUEEN OF GREECE SLATED. The New York World says that the help of the Queen of Greece was the cause of innumerable fierce and vain battles. She has built up a structure of intrigue, bribery and usurpation, as the result of which a million men must die. If she had allowed Greece to carry out her promises with regard to the Dardanelles and Serbia the war would not have lookad long, dark, and ttmbl«,

THE SERBIAN RETREAT.

KING PETER'S BRAVERY. FIERCE BATTLE BETWEEN' FRENCH AND BULGARS. Received Nov. 20, 11.45 p.m. London, Nov. 20. There arc meagre details of Serbia's dogged retreat. Telegrams state that they have retaken the offensive in Kaohanik Pass, from which the Bulgars have been driven, but that they are generally fighting during the day and retiring in the darkness. King Peter is bravely encouraging his troops, and sometimes goes to the trenches with General Sturms, of the Third Army* refusing to consider his personal safety. The withdrawal from Kossovo Plain was most difficult. Apart from mountain tracks, there is only one considerable road, which runs in two branches from Prizrend to Dwakova, and thence a single road to San Giovanni. The whole country is snow-covered mountains. General Sarrail intimated that he only intended a big battle when his forces were sufficient, but 80,000 Bulgars have attacked the French and a fierce battle is proceeding. FRENCH POSITION IMPROVED. SEVERAL HEIGHTS CAPTURED. Received Nov. 30, 5.10 p.m. Salonika, Nov. 25. The French have greatly improved their position on the extreme Allied left, and gained much ground in the direction of Krivolak, including several important heights.

MONASTIR STILL SERBIAN.

BULGARIAN PRESSURE INCREASING Received Nov. 20, 5.10 pjn. Rome, Nov. 25. Latest advices state that Monastir is still in Serbian hands, but the Bulgarian pressure is greater.

BULGARIA TO BE INVADED.

BY RUSSIANS, WITHIN A WEEK. Received Nov. 26, 9.25 p.m. London, Nov. 20. The Daily Telegraph's Salonika correspondent says that the Czar has promised Serbia that the Russians will enter Bulgaria within a week. Italy has promised 40,000 troops.

SERBIA'S TRAGEDY.

FAMINE AND COLD, Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received Nov. 20, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 2.">. A Serb officer at Monastir states that Old Serbia is a scene of unimaginable tragedy. Refugees encamped on the Kossovo plain are hungry and exhausted, a loaf of bread costing twenty-five shillings. Women and children are sleeping out and dying from the cold. Cattle are perishing, and the foodless ground is strewn with carcases, while numerous refugees are dying. The population of Monastir remains feverishly expecting a catastrophe. It is believed that the German force is Hearing the town.

GET THEE BEHIND ME.

SERBIA REJECTS GERMAN BRIBE. London, Nov. 25. The Daily Telegraph's Salonika correspondent confirms the statement that General von Mackcnsen recently dispatched an envoy to the Serbian Crown Prince at Prizrend, offering an armistice with v a view to peace negotiations, Serbia to cede to Bulgaria the north-eastern corner of Serbia, also Serbian Macedonia . The Crown Prince summarily rejected the proposal. BULGAR GENERAL'S BU)W. Amsterdam, Nov. 25. General Bodjadjeff, interviewed by the Tageblatt, declares that only AustroGerman troops will be occupying Serbia in a month's time. The Bulgarians will, turn southward in a fortnight. The rapidity with which we reduced the Serbian army of 300,000 to less than half gives an indication how speedily we will finish the. Entente's army of 100,000 from Salonika. RUSSIAN FORCES FOR ROUMANIA. Paris, Nov. 25. The Bucharest correspondent of the Petit Journal states that it is reported that a strong Russian army is at the. gates of Roumania, ready to help if Roumania comes into the war. GERMANS CLAIM SUCCESSES. Amstardam, Nov. 25. A German communique states: We took prisoner 10,000 Serbians and captured 19 guns near Mitrovitza, and 7400 and 6 guns near Prishtina.